Would West Texas Benefit From Colorado’s New “Tamale Act”?

Colorado is one of my favorite places to visit. And while it is by no means perfect, I do think that state has the right idea about a few things: legal cannabis, protected vacation pay (it rolls over there, by law!), and now: the tamale act.

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What Is The Colorado Tamale Act?

The Colorado "Tamale Act" is a new provision (HB26-1033) to Colorado's Cottage Laws which allows a producer to sell one type of a food product "that require(s) time and temperature control for safety" and up to 5 varieties of said product. This allows for the sale of items that contain meat (or any other food item that requires time/ temp control), so the shorthand naturally became "The Tamale Act" because that's what the people are going to want. But you could make a quiche or something else if you like, up to 5 varieties even!

Additionally this act allows fan individual producer to earn much more income this way, the previous cap of $10,000 is now :$150,000- truly a major increase that could mean people could make a real living doing this.

Would This Be Good For West Texas?

Absolutely, as we are buying these tamales anyway. It would just allow folks to do it legally and to claim the income legally. It would provide consumers with some protections, and it would allow the maker to legitimize their business. It would be a sensible way to meet people where they already are.

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What Do Texas Cottage Laws Allow For Now?

Want to make that home-prepared bag legally now? Texas does allow for quite a bit, as long as it doesn't have to be temperature-controlled for safety (there are exceptions!). Interestingly, you can sell cheesecakes, even though they must be refrigerated, but you cannot legally sell tamales (yet). Newer laws mean you can make as much as a Coloradan in a year: $150,000. Get that bag! For a more in-depth look at Texas Cottage Laws, read here.